Town of Hamilton Annual Report
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Town of Hamilton 1990 ANNUAL REPORT : : TOWN OF HAMILTON 1990 ANNUAL REPORT TOWN OF HAMILTON ESSEX COUNTY COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS ******* Incorporated June 21, 1793 Area 14.99 Square Miles Town Population: 7354 Sixth Congressional District Fifth Councillor District First Essex and Middlesex Senatorial District Fourth Essex Representative District 1990 State Officials Congressman: Nicholas Mavroules of Peabody Senator Robert C. Buell of Topsfield County Commissioners: Marguerite Kane of Lawrence Charles Arena of Lynn Everett C. Hudson of Ipswich Representative Forrester A. Clark, Jr. of Hamilt ******* TOWN HALL HOURS Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Friday 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Monday Evening 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. IN MEMORIAM ******** A ******************* ROBERT BROOKS DR. DONALD CONWELL EDMUND DODGE LAWRENCE FOSTER JAMES MACGRATH CLIFTON A. SIBLEY ROBERT A. TUCKER **************************** TABLE OF CONTENTS ACCOUNTANT'S STATEMENTS 47 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, REPORT OF 6 ASSESSORS, BOARD OF 53 BUILDING INSPECTOR 7 7 CIVIL DEFENSE/AUXILIARY POLICE 72 CONSERVATION COMMISSION 57 COUNCIL ON AGING 86 DOG OFFICER 82 ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR 78 EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CENTER 73 FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE - PRESENTED IN WARRANT BOOK FIRE DEPARTMENT 75 GAS INSPECTOR 80 HAMILTON-WENHAM ARTS COUNCIL 85 HAMILTON HOUSING AUTHORITY 92 HAMILTON-WENHAM CABLE TV ADVISORY BOARD 91 HAMILTON-WENHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 94 HANDICAP COORDINATION COMMITTEE 89 HEALTH, BOARD OF 54 HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION 62 LIBRARIAN 83 LIBRARY TRUSTEES 84 METROPOLITAN AREA PLANNING COUNCIL (MAPC) 93 MOSQUITO CONTROL PROJECT 87 NORTH SHORE REGIONAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 105 PERSONNEL BOARD 88 PLANNING BOARD 59 PLUMBING INSPECTOR 79 POLICE DEPARTMENT 70 PUBLIC WORKS, BOARD OF 64 RECREATION DEPARTMENT 69 SELECTMEN 4 STATE ELECTION, REPORT OF NOVEMBER 6, 1990 38 SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, REPORT OF NOVEMBER 13, 1990 40 TOWN CLERK 46 TREASURER/COLLECTOR 51 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, SEALER OF 81 ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS 111 BOARD OF SELECTMEN ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1990 1990 was marked by change and challenge for both the Board of Selectmen and the Town. While we will miss those who have left public service during this year, we look, forward to working with new officials with enthusiasm and vigor. These qualities will indeed be necessary for us to maintain municipal services and the attendant quality of life that is so important to all of us. Our first meeting of the year was saddened by the announcement of the passing of Town Treasurer/Collector, Robert H. Brooks In order to provide continuity, Town Clerk Helen Boyles was immediately appointed as interim Treasurer/Collector. Later, Kay Turner was appointed to until May, when she successfully ran for the office. We are very pleased with the professional ability that Mrs. Turner brings to this position. During this year, we have been continuously involved with the cleanup of a petroleum spill at the rear of the Town Hall. To exacerbate the problem, several barrels of an unknown substance were uncovered which will have to be disposed of as hazardous waste. At year's end, the petroleum spill was under control, and the barrels have been isolated and are awaiting disposition. Another issue of importance this year centered on the landfill. A local developer presented a proposal to build a recycling plant on the property. Subsequently, an article was presented at Town Meeting which was tabled. A study committee called Municipal Land Advisory Committee was formed by the Planning Board. The Committee worked diligently since then to further investigate possibilities for developing the land as a source of revenue to the Town. We all look forward to that report and any future tax revenues that may be forth coming. MLAC members are to be congratulated for the excellent job that was performed. On February 5, Walter Cullen was installed as our new Police Chief, replacing the retiring Robert Poole. Chief Cullen has provided outstanding leadership in his first year in office. The annual Town Meeting in May, and the subsequent election brought a great deal of change to Town government. After a spirited campaign involving nine override questions, six questions passed, totaling $1,130,177.62. Two of the three questions that failed, (involving street lights and handicap access), continue to involve the Selectmen. Additional funds were necessary to pay for street lights and were approved at a fall Town Meeting. The handicapped access question failed again. 4 II Marjorie Hansen decided not to run for reelection this year. We thank her for the years of dedicated service to the Town. James Conrad was elected to the Board, Leonard Broughton continued as Chairman and Jack Lawrence served as Clerk. In October, the Board hired Kathy Hough as our first Executive Secretary. Kathy has quickly made her mark on Town Hall and Selectmen activities. We are pleased with the enthusiasm and dedication that she has exhibited. During the year, we have met with the neighboring towns of Wenham, Manchester and Essex to discuss common issues. In addition, Leonard Broughton serves on the Essex County Advisory Board, Jack Lawrence is Hamilton's representative to NESWC, as well as the representative to the Veterans' Services Board. On September 10, the Board accepted the resignation of Fire Chief Robert A. McRae after many years of dedicated service. He was succeeded by Douglas Woodman. Finally, a special Town Meeting was held in November to discuss many issues, including access to Town Hall by the handicapped. For the third time, a proposal was rejected by. Subsequently, an action committee was formed to investigate alternate solutions. In the meantime, all public meetings were banned from Town Hall until a proper solution is found. Through an agreement with the Regional School District, all meetings are being held at the high school. We hope to have a solution to this problem by Town Meeting in May. We wish to thank all Town employees, Boards, Commissions, volunteers and Town citizens for their support, dedication and cooperation during 1990. Respectfully Submitted, Leonard C. Broughton, Chairman John E. Lawrence, Jr., Clerk James Conrad 5 1 - 90 REPORT OF THE TOWN OF HAMILTON ANNUAL TOWN MEETING HELD MONDAY, MAY 7, 1990 ADJOURNED TO TUESDAY, MAY 8, 1990 AND WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 1990 AT HAM1LT0N-WENHAM REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL At the close of registration on April 17, 1990 there were 4,180 registered voters. - PRECINCT 1 - 2,083 PRECINCT 2 2,097 Moderator Howard C.K. Spears opened the 1990 Annual Town Meeting at 7:45 P.M. with 736 voters checked present. PRECINCT 1 - 351 PRECINCT 2 - 385 Rev. Dean Pedersen of Gordon Conwell Seminary gave the invocation. Moved by Jack E. Mazzotti, duly seconded, that the following be adopted for the duration of this meeting: subsequent to a motion being offered and seconded and described by the individual making the motion then discussion on the motion be limited in the following manner. That no person may speak more than once to each motion and that person may speak no longer than three/five nwnutes. How- ever, Town Officials, Town Committees and Boards, and the person who offered the motion may respond to direct question as required. VOICE VOTE: Carried + + + + + + + + Moved by Robert C. Hagopian, duly seconded, that the Annual Town Meeting adjourn at 10 P.M. and reassemble on Tuesday, May 8, 1990 at 7:30 P.M. VOICE VOTE: Carried + + + + + + + + ARTICLE 1 MODERATOR: The vote on Article 1 and the override questions ELECTION is by ballot on Thursday, the Seventeenth day of May, 1990 OF (May 17, 1990), at the Winthrop School. The polls will be OFFICERS opened at 7:00 A.M. and will close at 8:00 P.M. + + + + + + + + ARTICLE 2 Moved by Leonard Broughton, duly seconded, that the reports of REPORTS Town Officers and Committees be received and placed on file. VOICE VOTE: Carried + + + + + + + + ARTICLE 3 Moved by Alvin Whipple, duly seconded, that the Town adopt as PERSONNEL amendments to the Personnel By-Law the changes in the class- BY-LAW lfication and compensation plans and other changes recommended by the Personnel Board, copies of which are on file with the Town Clerk and set forth on pages 22 through 25 of the 1990 Warrant Book, by omitting any reference to Section 13.02(c) and by deleting the proposed section 15.02 in its entirety. VOICE VOTE: Carried + + + + + + + + 6 2 - 90 PER50NNELL BOARD SCHEDULE The schedule set forth in Section 6.01 of the Personnel By-Laws as heretofore amended, is further amended by substituting therefore the following: Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Group 1 Four Step Job Rates Superintendent - DPW 33,525 34,889 36,284 37,736 General Foreman - Water Dept. 26.655 27,725 28,835 29,988 General Foreman - Pub. Works 26,655 27.725 28.835 29,988 Recreation Director 23,911 24,361 26,618 27,382 Tree CI imber 9.47 9.90 10.41 10.84 Group II Two Step Job Rates Reserve Police Officer 9.39 9.62 Janitor 9.25 10.03 Fire Equipment Mechanic 9.74 10.46 Fire Inspector 11.84 12.73 Group III Four Step Job Rates Town Accountant 25,538 27,461 29,527 31 ,749 Librarian 23.854 25,650 27,581 29,656 Assistant Librarian 17,802 19, 141 20,583 22,097 Children's Librarian 16,371 17,603 18,928 20,352 Chief Dispatcher 22,272 23,948 25,751 27,690 Acministrative Assistant 8.46 9.05 9.68 10.33 Assistant to Treasurer 8.46 9.05 9.68 10.33 Secretary to Selectmen 8.46 9.05 9.68 10.33 Police Clerk/Stenographer 8.46 9.05 9.68 10.33 Dispatcher ERC 8.46 9.05 9.68 10.33 Group IV Two Step Job Rates P/T Dispatcher ERC 8.46 9.05 PA Administrative